Liver supplements - Are There Supplements Out There To Help The Liver?

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by: Darrell Miller
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Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2011 Time: 6:15 AM
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Our liver is a very important organ of the body. It is the largest glandular organ with many biologic functions. It produces chemicals that break down fats, convert glucose to glycogen for storage to maintain normal levels of glucose in the blood, produce urea which is the primary substance of urine, manufacture certain amino acids which are building blocks of proteins, filter harmful substances from the blood like alcohol and excess medicines, and storage of vitamins and minerals, mainly vitamins A, D and B12. Another important function of the liver is that it detoxifies potentially toxic chemicals both inside and outside of the body, regulate a number of hormones, and produce blood proteins, clotting factors and compounds required for the production of red blood cells. With these numerous functions of the liver, it is but important to protect such organ from damage and injury. Liver supplements may help protect the organ from harmful substances.

These are some of the liver supplements widely used to protect the cells of the liver:

1. Glutathione. This substance is a liver protectant that is often referred to as the body's "master antioxidant" because of its primary role in protecting the cells from damages caused by free radicals. Glutathione is composed of the amino acids cysteine, glutamine and glycine and is in high amounts in the liver.

2. Milk Thistle (Silymarin). The milk thistle plant contains silymarin and related flavonoids which are some of the most potent liver-protecting substances known. These flavonoids are powerful antioxidants to protect the liver from the damaging toxins and free radicals. They also stimulate restoration and the production of new liver cells and cause the liver to increase production of glutathione, the body's most important antioxidant and detoxifying substance.

3. Burdock. Burdock contains a pool of nutrients important to liver function. These include vitamins B1, B6 and B12 which are essential in the phase 1 liver detoxification pathways, vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant, and sulphur which neutralizes toxins created by the detoxification process.

4. Dandelion. Experts state that dandelion extract have protective effects against lipid peroxidation and free radicals. Like burdock, dandelion extract contains a manifold of nutrients necessary to liver function, especially the B vitamins. It detoxifies the liver and increases the production of bile.

5. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC). Cysteine is a sulphur-containing amino acid and is a major component of glutathione. Supplementing cysteine boosts levels of this important "master antioxidant". This chemical compound is one of the best free radical destroyers and helps to cleanse harmful toxins in the body. It can also bind to potentially harmful heavy metals thus facilitating elimination from the body.

6. Taurine. Taurine is a distinctive protein bulding block in that it is not integrated into proteins and enzymes. Instead, it is essential for the production of bile in the liver and works as a potent detoxifier and antioxidant throughout the body. Alcohol and aldehydes are discovered to reduce levels of taurine in the liver because taurine is used up in shielding liver cells from damage due to these toxins.

These are only some of the liver supplements that are safe and effective to use. There are more than hundreds of food supplements that may help the liver. You can find quality liver supplements at your local or internet vitamin store in capsule and tablet forms. Always choose name brands like Source Naturals to ensure quality and purity of the product you buy for better health.

About the Author

If you need a liver boost, give a liver supplement by Source Naturals a try risk free at VitaNet ®, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/